smell
Smell can be a noun or a verb. The past tense and -ed participle of the verb is smelled, but smelt is also used in British English.
used as a noun
The smell of something is a quality it has that you are aware of through your nose.
I love the smell of fresh bread.
What's that smell?
used as an intransitive verb
If you say that something smells, you mean that people are aware of it because of its unpleasant smell.
The fridge is beginning to smell.
His feet smell.
You can say that a place or object smells of a particular thing, which can be pleasant or unpleasant.
The house smelled of flowers.
Her breath smelt of coffee.
Be careful
You must use of in sentences like these. Don't say ‘The house smelled freshly baked bread’.
You must use of in sentences like these. Don't say ‘The house smelled freshly baked bread’.
You can say that one place or thing smells like another thing, which can be pleasant or unpleasant.
The house smelt like a hospital ward.
I love this shampoo – it smells like lemons.
You can also use smell with an adjective to say that something has a pleasant or unpleasant smell.
What is it? It smells delicious.
The room smelled damp.
Be careful
Don't use an adverb after smell. Don't say, for example, ‘It smells deliciously’.
Don't use an adverb after smell. Don't say, for example, ‘It smells deliciously’.
used as a transitive verb
If you can smell something, you are aware of it through your nose.
I could smell the dinner cooking in the kitchen.
Can you smell the ocean?
Be careful
You usually use can or could in sentences like these. You usually say, for example, ‘I can smell gas’ rather than ‘I smell gas’. Don't use a progressive form. Don't say ‘I am smelling gas’.
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You usually use can or could in sentences like these. You usually say, for example, ‘I can smell gas’ rather than ‘I smell gas’. Don't use a progressive form. Don't say ‘I am smelling gas’.